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Chest CT results

Posted by slowe216 @slowe216, Sep 10 8:33pm

Hi all
New to this and being followed at National Jewish. I had findings on an abdominal CT that led to a chest CT today (and PFTS and sputum collection). I have had a cough for 2-3 years with mild nocturnal hypoxia (had a high HCT so was tested for this a few years ago)

Here are my CT results
Don't think the doc has reviewed it yet but wanted to see if any of you had any insight. I know individual courses can vary and I couldn't produce much sputum so prob need a bronchoscopy too but anyway, here it is.....

CLINICAL HISTORY: Female, 52 years. Chronic cough, concern for NTM on lung windows of abdominal CT

COMPARISON STUDIES: None

TECHNIQUE: From a noncontrast inspiratory volumetric CT acquisition, contiguous 3 mm and spaced 1.5 mm axial reconstructions were obtained. Coronal and sagittal reconstructions were performed. Expiration images were acquired. Prone high resolution images were also acquired. Care kV and Care Dose were utilized to minimize radiation exposure and effective dose.

FINDINGS:

Lower Neck: Unremarkable.

Mediastinum/Heart/Esophagus: No mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Normal caliber of ascending aorta and main pulmonary artery. No visible coronary artery calcification is identified. Mild intermittent air-filled distention of esophagus. Small hiatal hernia.

Upper Abdomen: Cholecystectomy.

Chest Wall: Unremarkable.

Lungs/Pleura: Tracheobronchial tree is clear. No consolidation, effusion or pneumothorax.

There is mild cylindrical bronchiectasis in the anterior and posterior segment of the right upper lobe with mucous plugging. There is a 7 mm nodule in the posterior right upper lobe (image #79, series #4). There is moderate tree-in-bud nodularity in the right upper lobe.

There is mild cylindrical bronchiectasis in the right middle lobe with mucus plugging and tree-in-bud nodularity.

Mild cylindrical bronchiectasis in the superior segment of the right lower lobe with mild mucous plugging. Cluster of nodules are seen in the superior segment right lower lobe and posterior medial basal segment of the right lower lobe.

There is mild cylindrical bronchiectasis in the superior lingula with mucous plugging and tree-in-bud nodularity.

Bones: No aggressive osseous lesion.

Thanks
Susan

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jsblair | @jsblair | Sep 10 9:36pm

Doesn’t seem too bad - no cavities! Probably youll be offered the Big 3 antibiotics three times a week and increased airway clearance to decrease mucus plugs.

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slowe216 | @slowe216 | Sep 11 7:54am
In reply to @jsblair "Doesn’t seem too bad - no cavities! Probably youll be offered the Big 3 antibiotics three..." + (show)
Profile picture for jsblair @jsblair

Doesn’t seem too bad - no cavities! Probably youll be offered the Big 3 antibiotics three times a week and increased airway clearance to decrease mucus plugs.

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@jsblair - Okay thanks. Just wondering on the "when" since I'm not even sure they got a good sample to check. We will see I guess. The esophagus thing is weird to me too so we'll see what they want me to do for that.... Thanks again.

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2 replies
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irenea8 | @irenea8 | Sep 11 8:39am
In reply to @slowe216 "@jsblair - Okay thanks. Just wondering on the "when" since I'm not even sure they got..." + (show)
Profile picture for slowe216 @slowe216

@jsblair - Okay thanks. Just wondering on the "when" since I'm not even sure they got a good sample to check. We will see I guess. The esophagus thing is weird to me too so we'll see what they want me to do for that.... Thanks again.

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@slowe216
Better wait for the Dr to review with you. I dont think anyone here can offer much insight on the whole picture.

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Sep 11 9:37am
In reply to @slowe216 "@jsblair - Okay thanks. Just wondering on the "when" since I'm not even sure they got..." + (show)
Profile picture for slowe216 @slowe216

@jsblair - Okay thanks. Just wondering on the "when" since I'm not even sure they got a good sample to check. We will see I guess. The esophagus thing is weird to me too so we'll see what they want me to do for that.... Thanks again.

Jump to this post

@slowe216 Unless you are symptomatic or your sputum cultures show a high load of NTM, I think NJH will want to try aggressive airway clearance first before antibiotics- that seems to be their current protocol.

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blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | Sep 11 10:12am

I was at NJH in Oct. 2023. I had very much the same results on the CT Scan from what I can tell.
Great to see mild. I was told to do "watchful waiting" by the lead pulmonologist at NJH because my bacteria load of Intercellular was low and I was feeling well overall.
However, many local pulmonologist in OKC and Texas were suggesting the antibiotics. With the input of others on Mayo I choose to continue "watchful waiting" and continued/continue to do all we need to do to clear the lungs.....Example: Exercise, nebulizing, air way clearance techniques, deep breathing, huff coughing, healthy foods, N95 mask wearing, and a goal to get enough restorative sleep.
Being retired does help with all that and for those in the work world I would imagine it might not be an easy thing to do as it is for those at home retired. It takes time to get all lined up and a good routine. Be patient but work at it and know you have others here to help.

As of this date I continue with "watchful waiting". I am going to be 84 next month and feel fine while still at a low load of MAI/Intercellular bacteria. My bacteria is a slow growing bacteria that I have been able to keep low. I also, as of the last C Scan showed improvement, meaning I cleared mucus plugs where they were sitting in the previous C Scan. Hopefully it stays that way with what I am doing.

Hoping for you for yourself you will be told you have a low load and not an aggressive bacteria. There are fast growing bacteria, slow growing bacteria and as well more difficult bacteria to treat.
There are many threads on this site that discusses much and hope you are able to find the information you need as you join us in this journey with our health.
Glad you went to NJH.
Barbara

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2 replies
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jessed | @jessed | Sep 11 11:55am
In reply to @blm1007blm1007 "I was at NJH in Oct. 2023. I had very much the same results on the..." + (show)
Profile picture for blm1007blm1007 @blm1007blm1007

I was at NJH in Oct. 2023. I had very much the same results on the CT Scan from what I can tell.
Great to see mild. I was told to do "watchful waiting" by the lead pulmonologist at NJH because my bacteria load of Intercellular was low and I was feeling well overall.
However, many local pulmonologist in OKC and Texas were suggesting the antibiotics. With the input of others on Mayo I choose to continue "watchful waiting" and continued/continue to do all we need to do to clear the lungs.....Example: Exercise, nebulizing, air way clearance techniques, deep breathing, huff coughing, healthy foods, N95 mask wearing, and a goal to get enough restorative sleep.
Being retired does help with all that and for those in the work world I would imagine it might not be an easy thing to do as it is for those at home retired. It takes time to get all lined up and a good routine. Be patient but work at it and know you have others here to help.

As of this date I continue with "watchful waiting". I am going to be 84 next month and feel fine while still at a low load of MAI/Intercellular bacteria. My bacteria is a slow growing bacteria that I have been able to keep low. I also, as of the last C Scan showed improvement, meaning I cleared mucus plugs where they were sitting in the previous C Scan. Hopefully it stays that way with what I am doing.

Hoping for you for yourself you will be told you have a low load and not an aggressive bacteria. There are fast growing bacteria, slow growing bacteria and as well more difficult bacteria to treat.
There are many threads on this site that discusses much and hope you are able to find the information you need as you join us in this journey with our health.
Glad you went to NJH.
Barbara

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@blm1007blm1007
Barbara, thanks for describing how your hard work is paying off! Inspiring. Best, jessed

REPLY
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slowe216 | @slowe216 | Sep 11 1:24pm
In reply to @blm1007blm1007 "I was at NJH in Oct. 2023. I had very much the same results on the..." + (show)
Profile picture for blm1007blm1007 @blm1007blm1007

I was at NJH in Oct. 2023. I had very much the same results on the CT Scan from what I can tell.
Great to see mild. I was told to do "watchful waiting" by the lead pulmonologist at NJH because my bacteria load of Intercellular was low and I was feeling well overall.
However, many local pulmonologist in OKC and Texas were suggesting the antibiotics. With the input of others on Mayo I choose to continue "watchful waiting" and continued/continue to do all we need to do to clear the lungs.....Example: Exercise, nebulizing, air way clearance techniques, deep breathing, huff coughing, healthy foods, N95 mask wearing, and a goal to get enough restorative sleep.
Being retired does help with all that and for those in the work world I would imagine it might not be an easy thing to do as it is for those at home retired. It takes time to get all lined up and a good routine. Be patient but work at it and know you have others here to help.

As of this date I continue with "watchful waiting". I am going to be 84 next month and feel fine while still at a low load of MAI/Intercellular bacteria. My bacteria is a slow growing bacteria that I have been able to keep low. I also, as of the last C Scan showed improvement, meaning I cleared mucus plugs where they were sitting in the previous C Scan. Hopefully it stays that way with what I am doing.

Hoping for you for yourself you will be told you have a low load and not an aggressive bacteria. There are fast growing bacteria, slow growing bacteria and as well more difficult bacteria to treat.
There are many threads on this site that discusses much and hope you are able to find the information you need as you join us in this journey with our health.
Glad you went to NJH.
Barbara

Jump to this post

@blm1007blm1007
Thank you so much - I am so glad to hear too that your last scan showed improvement.
That is very encouraging.

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